Chapter 5: Chapter 5 New Game
Aren't you something to admire
'cause your shine is something like a mirror?
And I can't help but notice,
You reflect in this
Heart of mine.
-Fifth Harmony
A T H A L I A
Yesterday went quite well, and today our Autumn semesters are starting.
Cade, We spent last night in his workshop, and right now I'm sitting on his bed waiting for him to get ready. I've lived in this house for past years, but I've never been to his room before.
And to my surprise, this room is the largest in the whole mansion. The walls are painted in dark black and blue, with big windows and black satin curtains that sweep around his bed, almost touching the floor. It's an amazing room.
It seems he has a fondness for dark colors.
The bathroom's glass door swung open, revealing a shirtless Cade as he entered, ruffling his wet hair with a towel. I couldn't help but notice his well-defined abs and muscles.
I focused on my laptop, forget whatever i had just saw. Cade put on his t-shirt, which had been thrown on the edge of the bed
"Athalia" still focused on my laptop.
"Athalia," he called, I finally looked up at his blue eyes, his face pretty close to mine. He reached for his watch from the nightstand behind me and smricked.
The same look from last night.
"We should leave now," he said. I closed my laptop and grabbed my stuff from his bed.
I stood up, fixed my skirt before walking. It's a bit revealing, above my knees, and I'm also wearing it without tights. I don't usually wear short skirts, but today my mind decided to dress cute.
A light-peach silk shirt with a black short skirt and mid-length heels.
Cade grabbed the keys and his bag. "Let's go," he said, and we walked to the garage.
What do you think this multi-millionaire boy drives? Of course, a sports car?
He turned on his black Lamborghini. While sitting inside, my skirt twisted up to my thighs. I tried to fix it and felt Cade's gaze fixed on it.
Shameless.
I shot him an angry pout, and he turned his head as if he was looking outside.
The drive was in silence. I let my hair down, which had been tied up in a bun. They fell from my shoulders to my waist.
We reached the parking lot, and he parked the car in the corner. He unbuckled and stepped outside, while I once again struggled with my skirt. He stood in front of me before I could get up, blocking the view for everyone.
Ohhh. A gentleman.
I fixed my skirt before anyone saw it. "Thanks," I whispered softly.
And suddenly, I became the center of attention for the cool bitches around us. They glared at me with the dirtiest looks they could muster, which they usually did every morning. But today, they were also giving seductive looks to the man beside me.
Hunger Honeybees.
"Have you applied for the lab?" Cade asked, referring to a personal research area. Everyone here has already graduated; we work for extras like research and to gain more information. This institution offers classes as per your wishes if you want to join.
"Yeah, just need to take the key card," I replied.
"Good morning, how can I assist you?" said the receptionist in front of us.
"I need the key card for the lab, booked by Athalia Nova and Cade Hanniel." She provided us the cards. Room 119 on the twelfth floor.
"The seminar is supposed to be at 10; we should find our lab first," I said, handing Cade one of the duplicate key cards.
"119," Cade spotted the glass door. Gosh! Finally, we found it.
Big glass open view, a cyberpunk aesthetic. "It's awfully big, must be a shared lab," said Cade.
"You bewitched me," Nathan walked in and ran to Cade.
"I thought we'd work together, like every time," Nathan complained, leaning against the desk.
"I haven't bewitched you yet; you can still join us," said Cade, playing with the Rubik's Cube on the table.
"If Athalia has no problem with this," Nathan looked at me as I shook my head.
"No problem," I replied.
"Then, we're joining too." Vivene entered the room with Liliath.
"We're not leaving you alone again, Cade. Let's work as a team like we used to," Liliath said. Cade rolled his eyes as if it's disgusting.
"Hmm, alright, but who is sharing the lab with us?" Cade asked, sitting on the nearby chair, his gaze fixed on me.
"Asher," Nathan replied.
Ohhh
Shit!
✽
Ever since I heard his name, my heart hasn't stopped beating rapidly. It's Asher, my ex-boyfriend. It's him.
Last semester, it was my luck that I didn't get to see him eventually, but still, his girlfriend used to bully me a lot.
I never bothered to say anything to her because she was already the drama queen. It's not like I can't ruin her, but I don't want to.
I may be physically strong enough to toss up a giant, but mentally I'm messed up.
And she never left a chance to traumatize me.
After the seminar ended, we said our goodbyes to the head.
Whenever I tried to focus on the speech, my mind goes back to Archer, or Cade, who was continuously staring at me.
We all were seated together in the lab, and I don't know what the hell they are discussing. While Cade was not a part of our discussion, he was just walking like just walking, gulping water with his jaw clenched.
"So," Vive clapped her hands, grabbing our attention. "We've decided," she said, and I wondered what they've decided without me.
"Cade be our um.. leader," said Nathan. "No problems, right?" he asked me, and I nodded. Why would I have a problem with everything?
"I'll be, I am, but what about Archer? I can't work with seeing his face every morning," Cade said, leaning onto my chair just above me.
He hates him too. What a pleasant piece of news.
"You've got some issues with Archer?" it rolled off my tongue, and shit, I regret it. Cade gave me a frown, an angry look that said, "mind your own business."
"I hate him. That's all," he said, moving away from my chair.
"They're just 'I want to kill you for no reason' type of enemies since elementary school," Lily whispered in my ears.
Archer never talked about Cade; not even his name ever came up in his mouth. We used to talk about everything, everyone, late-night messages, and calls.
He is like that. The bad kind of Playboy. He played me for a bet, kissed me, loved me, tasted me, made me pregnant, then left.
Left from my life, left me alone, left with another girl.
And the worst thing possible was Archer entered the lab with his girlfriend and so-called gang.
I hate my own heart, which wants to punch him and be with him at the same time. To go back when he used to be nice. It was all fake.
Archer's eyes traveled in my direction. He had that disgusting smirk on his face, that same black leather jacket and hair.
"It's okay, as long as he's not trouble," Lily said more like a whisper. Of course not, trouble is his middle name.
"Back to the point... Cade, who would you like to choose as your assistant? Cause the place next to your desk-" Nathan was about to complete, but Cade cut him off. Straight.
"Athalia," Cade said, picking up his laptop. And their faces turned into something else... Lily threw a teasing look in my direction.
"Why?" They all shouted at the same time, and I swear it grabbed the attention of the people on the other side too.
"Cause she is less annoying than you all. Now settle down your things; we will start working from tomorrow," he said as I helped him pick up equipment.
"Less annoying, huh?" Lily whispered in my ears.
"Maybe," I shrugged my shoulders and followed after him with the box in my hand.
And when I talk about this lab, it is quite big. Master cabin separated by a wall, big windows, and shelves behind his desk. A big couch and ohh, a small kitchen. This is Quantech.
I placed the box on the shelf while he was taking off his jacket.
"Why me, Cade?" I asked. It amused me why he picked me over his best friend or Vi.
"Cause I don't want them around," he said, throwing himself into the chair.
"Why?"
"Because they are irritating," he turned his head back to face me.
"I bet I'm the most annoying person here," I replied, knowing my childish self never stops talking.
"I can handle that," he said, turning his chair to face me.
"And what are we supposed to do this semester?" I asked, settling books on the shelves.
"Haven't decided, but surely something illogical. I'll think about this at home; would you like to help?" He asked, asking for help again.
"Uhhh... okay."
I heard the click of heels coming inside the cabin. Blonde and curly hair, brown eyes, dark lipstick, and long nails. Huh... That's why men love her.
Scarlet, now what does she want? Ohh... the woman shook her hips and bent down on the table.
Now, I know what she's up to.
I focused back on the books, ignoring her.
"Does my babe forget me?" said Scarlet in a cheeky voice, running her fingers through Cade's hair, which he instantly removed.
I can't believe how she can flirt with every man regardless of age, even when she already has a boyfriend. And I'm pretty sure she cheated on Archer a lot, but it's none of my business now.
They are the perfect couple. She is perfect for his reputation. Beautiful, sexy, and bad-really, really egoistic.
"Fuck off," he growled, getting up.
"Bebe, I already apologized. Don't behave like this anymore," she said, placing her hand on his chest.
"Do you have a hearing problem or something? I said fuck off." This time, he said it with a much calmer voice. Even this fuck off sounds attractive. Gosh! What am I thinking?
She made a pout, getting more close to him. I picked up the books left on the table, and she noticed me.
"What are you doing here, by the way?" Scarlet asked, raising her eyebrows at me.
Let the drama begin...
"I should ask this. Not you," I replied, ignoring her face. She pulled off from Cade and crossed her arms.
"Bitch, so you're running down to my ex now, after my boyfriend rejected you. Why can't you just stay away from my things?" she said, snatching the book from my hand. So she is Cade's ex.
Guess what, she pressed down my bitch button, but before I could say something, Cade cut me off.
"- You've never been my girlfriend, so be my ex in your dreams," he said sarcastically, fixing his hair, which made me laugh loudly.
"Oops! Someone just hurt Scarlet's ego." I laughed, she gasped in anger, her cheeks red.
"Now, fuck off before I drag you out of here," Cade said, taking the book from her hand.
And she left angry and embarrassed. It was fun, really, seeing the person who bullies you getting roasted.
"Stop laughing," he hit the book lightly on my head.
"Make me."
Cade grabbed my waist and pushed me to the shelf and placed the book in the corner.
"Like last night," he said with a smirk.
....
I stretched my arms when the elevator door opened. The rest of the day went well with arranging equipment and setting up the computers.
Cade turned on the car engine and asked me to get in. That's when I realized I have an appointment with my gynecologist. I stopped in my tracks, deciding what to do.
"What happened?" Cade asked.
Should I tell him, or should I lie?
"I have an appointment with my doctor; you can go. I'll book an Uber," I replied, taking out my phone.
"It's almost night. Get in; I'll take you there. Uber may not be a safe option." He opened the door for me. And for some reason, I didn't want to argue back.
I got inside and told him the address. It's already dark outside, and I have the last checkup.
"What's wrong with your health?" Cade asked, stopping the car at a red light, his blue eyes reflecting my face like a mirror.
I felt my hands sweat. I'm not good at lying, especially not with someone who has the same aura and attitude as Lewis.
"Well... uhhh... My menstrual cycle is not working properly," I half-lied.
I actually blame this on Archer; if I were not pregnant and high that day, I would have never been hit with this kind of miscarriage. Some of the loss is also due to military operations, which hurt my internal organs. Additionally, maybe because I haven't been sexually active for a year or two, my reproductive system is not working well.
We reached the clinic, and Cade decided to wait outside for me. Patiently.
"Get practical, Athalia," said Dr. Thea, handing me my reports. She's been saying this for a year, and I've been ignoring it.
"With whom?" I defended myself. Sometimes she scolded me too, warning that if I don't take action, I could lose every chance of conceiving in the future.
"Listen, the medicine will help you, but not that much. We can't do any surgery on you. So it's better if you find a trustworthy man and-" I was done with her lectures after every checkup.
"-I get it. I will do. It's getting late; I should leave now. Thanks, Doc!" I said and rushed outside the door.
"Hey!" I waved at Cade, who was focused on his phone screen.
"Done?" He asked, glancing at his watch.
"Just need to buy medicine." I passed him a smile, and we headed toward the medical counter.
✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽
I hugged the pillow more tightly, sniffing the fragrance. It was gasoline or soil, I didn't know, but it was luring me to sleep.
The black silk sheets and soft mattress were perfect for my cozy slumber.
It was late at night, and as Cade asked, "Would you like to help?" Now, I was searching for possible illogical ideas with heavy sleep in my eyes. The sound of running water in the bathroom was clearly audible; he was bathing.
I was in my nightwear, shorts, and a t-shirt, my hair open and freshly bathed. It was too cozy, too comfy; I just wanted to sleep.
The bathroom door opened, and he came into view. A cozy, comfy night with this hot... Shut up! I told my mind.
"Found any topic?" Cade asked; his scent hit my nose, and the butterflies that died long ago came alive. Who said I was losing my libido; it was just I couldn't find men with great taste.
"Do you have the seminar paper?" He ruffled his hair with a towel.
"Must be in my bag." I pointed to my bag, which was on the chair. Cade started searching through the papers inside my bag. But after a few minutes, his face drained.
"So, you lied to me," he said, showing me my checkup report.
Shit!
I felt a loss of words, his expression the same as his father's whenever I lied.
"Well, it wasn't necessary to tell you the truth..." Cade cut me off with a demanding voice.
"Explain," he said, and I told him my deepest secret without even thinking twice.
His expression turned from angry to pity.
"That motherfuckin' Archer," Cade said. "I'll kill him," his hands clenched into fists.
"Can I sleep here? Your bed is too soft," I asked because I didn't have any energy to move after I cried.
"Hmmm... I'll sleep in another room then," he said, turning off the lights as I moved inside the sheets.
"Goodnight, Lia," I heard before closing my eyes.
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